The Miami Marlins (42-33), one of the lightest-hitting offenses in the NL, is set to host the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-39) at loanDepot Park on Thursday for the opener of a four-game series.
The Pirates are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Cubs, dropping the finale 8-3 on Wednesday at PNC Park for their ninth straight loss. Connor Joe was 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs. The Marlins are in the midst of a seven-game homestand.
They lost two of three against the Blue Jays in their last series, dropping the finale 6-3 on Wednesday at loanDepot Park. Jonathan Davis went 2 for 3 with one run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Marlins won four of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at PNC Park in July.
ON THE MOUND
Mitch Keller (8-3, 3.62 ERA) is in line to start for Pittsburgh. The right-hander ranks second in the NL in strikeouts (108) and tied for fifth in wins. Keller allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 5-0 road defeat against the Brewers on Saturday.
He took the loss, scattering five hits while striking out seven and walking three. Over two starts against the Marlins in 2022, Keller was 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA over 13 innings. He had 12 strikeouts and no walks.
For Miami, left-hander Braxton Garrett (3-2, 3.88 ERA) gets the ball. Garrett made two appearances against the Pirates in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 18 and walking three over 12 innings (1-0, 0.75).
In his last start on Saturday, Garrett got the win on the road against the Nationals. He threw six innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 5-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .243/.321/.395. Jack Suwinski leads the team in OPS at .847. The right fielder is slashing .228/.345/.503 with 15 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 30 runs over 64 games.
Over the last five games, though, Pittsburgh has averaged only 1.0 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.143/.233/.201). Against left-handed pitchers like Garrett this season, the Bucs have a .757 OPS. Rodolfo Castro is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.065 OPS in 76 at-bats.
Miami is slashing .260/.321/.396 for the season and averaging 4.0 runs per game, the second lowest in the National League. Luis Arraez leads the team with a .934 OPS.
The second baseman has two home runs, 35 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .398/.448/.486. The Fish have a .700 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .967 OPS over 200 at-bats, Arraez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is on a six-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 16-20 in 2023. The Bucs have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.4 runs.
Miami has gone 22-15 at loanDepot Park this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Pittsburgh is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at loanDepot Park with an average scoreline of 4.6-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are fourth in the NL Central, four games behind the division-leading Reds. The Marlins are second in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (+125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
